Lack of immigration officers causes chaos at Faro airport

The lack of immigration officials due to a civil service strike has caused two-hour queues at Faro airport and led to some passengers missing flights, a source from ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal said on Friday.

“Due to the public service strike, high waiting times were recorded today at border control at Faro airport, exceeding two hours in the morning. This situation caused the loss of some flights in addition to the inconvenience for the passengers. The situation is improving and is expected to continue,” the company told Lusa.

The worst affected passengers were those from and to the United Kingdom, whose departure from the European Union now requires documentary control at departures and arrivals, in contrast to what happens with destinations that are part of the Schengen Community area, said the Portuguese airport management company.

The same source said that teams from Faro airport had been mobilised to provide support to passengers and reduce the discomfort caused by long waiting times, such as providing water or assistance to passengers with greater difficulty in walking.

“The teams are in permanent contact with the competent authorities and airlines,” the company also mentioned, stressing that this situation was exclusive to Faro and did not occur at any other national airport.

According to the Immigration and Borders Service (SEF), this morning, the national strike caused delays in border control at Faro airport, which is being ensured by minimum services.

The source said that border control is working with six inspectors per shift instead of the usual nine and that waiting times doubled during the morning when more flights arrived from the United Kingdom.

According to the source, the strike did not cause disruption in border controls at other airports or in other SEF services.

​​​​​​​Public administration workers are today on national strike for immediate wage increases.